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Average Price: $480
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$500
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Description
The Korg Trinity stands as a landmark in the world of synthesizers, blending advanced technology with intuitive design to inspire musicians of all levels. Known for its proprietary Access synth engine, the Trinity offers a vast array of sounds that range from lush pads to cutting-edge leads. This synthesizer was a breakthrough at its release, providing musicians with a comprehensive workstation that included sequencing, sampling, and a touch-responsive display.
The Trinity’s interface is straightforward and user-friendly, making it an ideal choice for both studio and stage. Its robust sound architecture allows for deep customization, ensuring that you can craft your unique sonic identity. With its powerful effects section, you can add depth and character to your compositions, whether you're performing live or recording in the studio. The Korg Trinity remains a reliable choice for musicians seeking a versatile and expressive synthesizer.
Key Features:
- Proprietary Access synth engine for a wide range of sounds
- Touch-responsive display for intuitive navigation
- Built-in sequencer and sampler for comprehensive music production
- Extensive effects section for sound enhancement
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners and professionals alike
- Robust sound architecture for deep customization
- Ideal for both studio and live performance
Product specs
| Brand | Korg |
| Model | Trinity 61-Key 32-Voice Polyphonic Workstation |
| Finish | Silver |
| Year | 1995 - 1996 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Workstation Keyboards |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Semi-Weighted |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Number of Keys | 61 Keys |
| Polyphony | 32 Voices |
FAQs
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What type of synthesis does the Korg Trinity use?
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The Korg Trinity utilizes digital synthesis, offering a versatile range of sounds suitable for various musical styles.
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How many voices of polyphony does the Korg Trinity support?
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The Korg Trinity supports 32 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex layering and rich sound textures.
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Is the Korg Trinity suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Korg Trinity is equipped with 61 full-size, semi-weighted keys and comprehensive MIDI capabilities, making it suitable for live performances and studio use.
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Does the Korg Trinity have MIDI connectivity?
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The Korg Trinity features MIDI Input, MIDI Output, and MIDI Through, providing extensive connectivity options for integration with other MIDI-enabled devices.
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What distinguishes the Korg Trinity from the Trinity Plus?
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The Korg Trinity Plus includes the MOSS synthesis Prophecy expansion board, offering additional synthesis capabilities beyond the standard Trinity model.
Videos
michel darnelli
Korg Trinity Demo
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent keybed with aftertouch supports expressive playing
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Integrated joystick+ribbon controllers enhance performance dynamics
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Rich sound library within 32 MB of PCM ROM
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Features a built-in monophonic synth engine (KORG Prophecy)
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Multi-effects engine superior to later TR or Triton-LE series
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Offers sub-outputs for advanced audio routing
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First synth with a touch screen, described as bright and clear
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24-bit/48kHz sounds are rich and vibrant
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Well-built with well laid controls and a semi-weighted Yamaha keybed
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Unique space-ship look design adds aesthetic value
CONS
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Dated appearance, including a slow B/W LCD touch screen
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Floppy drive may require replacement with a USB emulator for modern use
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg Trinity.
Setup and maintenance
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Diagnostic mode can be accessed by holding 5 and Enter on the numpad during boot-up, useful for identifying issues like MIDI and battery errors.
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Replacing the soldered-in battery with a battery holder simplifies future changes, as it allows the use of standard coin batteries without soldering.
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When booting, the Trinity will display if it includes additional cards, which can expand its capabilities.
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Mods and upgrades
Features and functionality
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Latest OS versions, 2.41 and 3.12, differ only in supported addon cards: solo-trib and moss, respectively, and can be updated via factory disks.
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The Trinity's touchscreen reliability is critical; issues may arise with age, impacting functionality and ease of use.
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The MOSS board in the Trinity is essentially half of a Korg Z1, offering sought-after virtual analog synthesis capabilities from the late 90s.
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Use cases and applications
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Known for lush pads, the Trinity is favored by mid-90s metal bands like Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, making it ideal for recreating similar sounds.
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Despite favoring newer synths, some users appreciate the Trinity for its retro sound, particularly its organ patches.
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The Trinity with a MOSS board can replicate sounds found in high-end Korg models like OASYS, Kronos, and Nautilus, making it versatile for various musical styles.
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User experience
Comparisons
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The Triton Extreme is noted for a bigger, warmer sound compared to the Trinity, with the Trinity sounding as if it has a layer of white noise.
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Triton includes most sounds from Trinity and adds more, but some prefer Trinity's filter despite other Triton improvements.
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While the Trinity's piano sounds may be outdated, its pad sounds remain highly valued, and its keyboard quality surpasses most modern controllers.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 14 Ratings
My first ever pro synthesizer and all time favourite.
This was my first professional synthesizer I got in 1996.... I spent a lot of time with it as my primary synth and explored deeply all its features. Excellent keybed with aftertouch and the left hand controllers (joystick+ribbon+sw buttons) support expressive playing style. It is surprising how many sounds stacked in just 32 MB of PCM ROM. The "plus" version has a built in monophonic synth (KORG prophecy) engine, which I did not use a lot as I had external VAs for this purpose. Today it might look dated - especially the slow B/W LCD touch screen.. but still, you can get very professional sound by tweaking the parameters, and understanding the way its constructed. I recommend to replace the floppy drive with an USB emulator. Strength of Trinity in my opinion: digital synhts/drums/basses; multi-effetcs engine (better than in the later TR or Triton-LE series!), sequencer; sub-outputs; joystick+ribbon - very expressive! Professional keybed. Space-ship look design :) I think the most beautiful digital synth ever made.
236
Trinity Pro 76. Awesome and beautiful!
Yes it is old today, but it has so wonderful synth pads and sounds. I'm not a fan of acoustic sounds (I get them from other sources) so I only focus on synth sounds, pads, textures when it comes to hardware synthesizers and romplers.
The Trinity has such a nice and comfy keyboard. The world's first synth with a touch screen which is bright and clear.
254
90s powerhouse, 10s' classic
I acquired a fully decked out Trinity Plus back in late April 2019 and haven't been able to put it down since. Korg ABSOLUTELY struck gold with this one! The 24-bit/48khz sounds are rich and vibrant, the keybed is very fun to play, and the built-in patches are top notch. Even the somewhat dated acoustic sounds are usable now with some treatment, depending on how you apply them. Highly recommended.
68
The silver beast.
It´s 20 years old now, but still rocks. I use it mainly for synth sounds: it can get fat or it can sparkle, always with an impressive audio clarity. The Prophecy expansion board is outstanding: it´s basses and dirty leads are HEAVY. Overall, Trinity is extremely well built, with well laid controls and an excellent semi-weighted Yamaha keybed (mine is 61 keys).
Artist usage
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"The M1R gets used for its Bottle Bell patch, but I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed by Studio Electronics' MIDIMini analogue synth, as the tuning drifts quite badly. However, I also have their SE1 analogue synth which is great for bass. Surprisingly, the little Peavey Spectrum Bass also has some great bass sounds that I use — patches three and four. My Vintage Keys is only used occasionally, mainly for the Wurlitzer piano, while the Korg X3 is left set to patch 10, a kind of Rhodes sound. The JV1080 also has a lovely electric piano sound on it, but I'm a bit disappointed with the Technics WSA1R as it doesn't have many really usable sounds. I've just bough a Yamaha CS2X for a bit of fun, for sequencing and so on, and the Trinity I still like."
Alexander Brandon, a music producer known for his electronic compositions, confirmed in a Mika Q/A Interview that he utilized a Korg Trinity synthesizer as part of his music production gear. He detailed his progression through various music software and instruments, stating, "My first synth was a Proteus MPS+ Orchestral. After that it was a Korg Trinity, then Triton ProX, then a Roland but I forget which one, it came from Looking Glass in Boston." This statement serves as direct evidence of his use of the Korg Trinity in his work.
Tim Simenon used the Korg Trinity synthesizer during the production of Depeche Mode's "Ultra" album, as discussed in the Gearslutz Pro Audio Community.
In this article there is a complete description of Butch's studio equipment. The Korg Trinity Synthesizer is vital part of it. For more information regarding this product check out the website!
Showed up in a list of Ryo Okumoto’s gear on the Spock’s Beard official website.
In the video titled "Ace Of Base - Beautiful Life Live + Interview" by Pier Andres Charleson on YouTube, the Korg Trinity can be seen on stage with Ulf Ekberg around the 2:42 mark.
"Cubase for sequencing, and up to Timesplitters Future Perfect, I used an Akai S6000 sampler, Novation Supernova 2, Access Virus Rack XL and a Korg Trinity Keyboard. Pretty old school by today's standards."
Album Usage
The Korg Trinity has been featured on the following albums:
Armoured IV Pain
ShadowQuest (2015)
Commandos Soundtrack Collection (Original Game Soundtrack)
Mateo Pascual (2014)
All One
ShadowQuest (2014)
Commandos 2 Men of Courage
Mateo Pascual (2011)
Insides
Jon Hopkins (2009)
Mabool - The Story of the Three Sons of Seven
Orphaned Land (2004)
Show 'Em Where You Live
Vital Information (2001)
Wishmaster
Nightwish (2000)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg Trinity, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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